“My mum was a passionate advocate for nursing as a career and I suppose I took that inspiration from her to pursue nursing as my vocation”, Fiona reflects.
“On second thoughts at one stage I did consider being a secretary for a brief second, but my mum knew I didn’t really mean it,” smiled Fiona.
Fiona has worked in larger metropolitan hospitals in both Sydney and Canberra and also worked as an agency nurse when travelling overseas but relocated back to Wagga in 2014 to be closer to family.
Primarily located as a Recovery Registered Nurse at Wagga Base Hospital, Fiona enjoys providing care and reassurance to patients in the immediate aftermath of surgery.
“I look after a wide variety of trauma patients, as well as people who have had elective surgery.
“We have a fast turnover, and it can be consistently busy, but the work is different every day and rewarding.
When speaking with Fiona, you realise that her soft tone and calm demeaner would be a welcome addition to patients who are under her care in the recovery ward.
“It sounds corny I know, but I do love caring for people and taking the time to reassure them about any concerns they have and help them to feel as comfortable and as safe as possible.
“It’s the little things that add up for people when they are feeling a bit confused and sometimes overwhelmed. It could be that friendly reassuring smile, a cup of tea or that promised follow up call to loved ones,” Fiona said.
“I feel my role is especially important for our older patients, many who wake up very confused, thinking they are still awaiting surgery. It takes nothing really to be there to sit and explain that they have undergone a procedure and things are going to be ok,” Fiona said.
Noted by her peers as often going out of her way to help the staff and patients around her, and having a special heart for the elderly, Fiona was recently awarded the Gathering of Kindness Award for 2022.
This award is an initiative which is focused on human connections, how they shape us and how they are at the heart of our work.
A smile, listening to worries, or a reassuring conversation are some of the small acts of kindness that make a big difference to the experience of our patients and their families, and our staff, across MLHD.
“I was really surprised to receive the Gathering of Kindness Award and was presented the most beautiful bunch of flowers,” Fiona said.
“It was so nice to be recognised, but I do feel that there are so many people who could also have been chosen.
“There is much that happens in the background within a hospital, from nursing staff and health professionals, to support staff and domestic staff. Many of whom sometimes go unnoticed and are all deserving as well.
“We are all dedicated to delivering the best health outcomes we can, and we all do our bit for the people in our communities so that they receive the best and most compassionate care.
“It takes nothing to do things with kindness, and I feel that is what we are all about here.